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Further Workplace Health and Safety bosses will be grilled at the inquest into the Dreamworld disaster today, after a leading inspector admitted he had "no confidence" in the emergency procedures in place on the Thunder River Rapids ride.

Tributes flow for 'courageous' Hazel Hawke

Australia has lost a brave, wonderful and community-spirited woman with the death of Hazel Hawke, say tributes to the ex-wife of former prime minister Bob Hawke.

Mrs Hawke has died aged 83, following a long battle with dementia.

Her family issued a statement on Thursday night saying she passed away peacefully after succumbing to complications of the disease.

Governor-General Quentin Bryce said Mrs Hawke was one of the most admired Australians in public life.

"She was gutsy, compassionate, and had a fierce intelligence and a wonderful sense of humour," Ms Bryce said in a statement.

"My most special memory of her is of the time at the Opera House when she played the piano exquisitely.

"I can still see her joyousness and delight playing in her beautiful hot pink dress!"

Prime Minister Julia Gillard said ordinary Australians saw the best of themselves in Mrs Hawke.

Her warmth and generosity of spirit in success were matched by her courage and dignity in adversity.

"Bob Hawke's public achievements in the union movement and in government are unthinkable without Hazel's steadfast support," Ms Gillard said.

"After her diagnosis with Alzheimer's disease, Hazel's life of service to Australia continued in ever more trying circumstances."

In 2001, Mrs Hawke learned she had Alzheimer's. Her immediate response was "bugger, bugger, bugger".

Two years later she went on television to launch the Hazel Hawke Alzheimer's Research and Care Fund.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott praised her courage in raising public awareness of the disease.

"Hazel Hawke was widely respected and admired in our community," he said.

"She will be greatly missed."

President of Alzheimer's Australia Ita Buttrose said many people would feel a sense of personal loss about Mrs Hawke's death.

She was the first prominent Australian to speak publicly about her life with Alzheimer's disease, helping reduce the stigma and sense of isolation experienced by the thousands suffering from dementia.

"Her courage to speak openly about her dementia journey has left a lasting legacy in raising the profile of Alzheimer's disease," said Ms Buttrose, Australian of the Year 2013.

Mrs Hawke's close friend Wendy McCarthy said the former first lady had an extraordinary capacity to relate to people.

"It is something about her humility, that she ... was always a person with extraordinarily strong convictions," she told ABC TV's 730.

"If you had a cause, like children's television, and she was on your side, she was formidable.

"That's Hazel - the feet on the ground, the bravery and the courage but that sense of being of the people."

Australian Greens leader Christine Milne said Mrs Hawke's contribution to the life of the nation was diverse and included the World Wildlife Fund, NSW Heritage Council, children's television, music and the arts.

Mr Hawke's treasurer and successor as prime minister Paul Keating had spent "many happy and friendly hours" with Mrs Hawke and knew how much she would be missed by family, friends and the wider community.

"She was a person of her time, who conducted her life in a no-nonsense way, free of any airs and graces," Mr Keating said in a statement.

Mrs Hawke's family said they appreciate the great affection many had for Hazel, but have asked for privacy.

There will be a private funeral for family and close friends.

A public memorial will be held in three or four weeks' time, to celebrate her life "in a very rich way and with a lot of music", Ms McCarthy said.

She said the best way to honour Mrs Hawke's memory would be for people to donate to the Alzheimer's research fund through Alzheimer's Australia.